Chapter 7: The Child on the Birth## Chapter 7: The Child on the Birth Certificate
“Say that name again,” I said.
For several seconds, all I could hear was the faint static Certificate
“Say that name again,” I said.
For several seconds, all I could hear was the faint static on the other end of the phone.
Helen Collins took on the other end of the phone.
Helen Collins took a shaky breath.
“Ethan Miller.””
I didn't recognize it.
“Who is Ethan Miller?””
“I don't know the whole a shaky breath.
“Ethan Miller.””
I didn't recognize it.
“Who is Ethan Miller?””
“I don't know the whole story, Mr. Brooks. But I found his birth certificate in Vanessa's private office. He was born eight years ago.””
Eight years.
Lily was seven.
I looked toward the story, Mr. Brooks. But I found his birth certificate in Vanessa's private office. He was born eight years ago.””
Eight years.
Lily was seven.
I looked toward the back seat of my SUV. My daughter was hugging her rabbit, completely unaware that the woman who had nearly become her back seat of my SUV. My daughter was hugging her rabbit, completely unaware that the woman who had nearly become her stepmother might have been hiding an entirely different life.
“Why would Vanessa have another child's birth certificate?””
“I asked myself the same question.””
stepmother might have been hiding an entirely different life.
“Why would Vanessa have another child's birth certificate?””
“I asked myself the same question.””
“Did you ask her?””
Helen gave a nervous laugh.
“I made the mistake of asking whether the boy was related to her. She told“Did you ask her?””
Helen gave a nervous laugh.
“I made the mistake of asking whether the boy was related to her. She told me never to touch anything in that office again.””
“When was this?””
“About six weeks ago me never to touch anything in that office again.””
“When was this?””
“About six weeks ago.””
My stomach tightened.
“Why didn't you tell me?””
“Because I was afraid.””
“Of Vanessa?””
“Yes, sir.””
.””
My stomach tightened.
“Why didn't you tell me?””
“Because I was afraid.””
“Of Vanessa?””
“Yes, sir.””
I closed my eyes.
Helen continued.
“She told me that if I wanted to keep my job, I should remember that people who interfere in private family matters usually regret it.””
I looked at Rachel.
She was standing beside me, armsI closed my eyes.
Helen continued.
“She told me that if I wanted to keep my job, I should remember that people who interfere in private family matters usually regret it.””
I looked at Rachel.
She was standing beside me, arms wrapped around herself.
“Where are the documents now?”” I asked.
“I made copies before I wrapped around herself.
“Where are the documents now?”” I asked.
“I made copies before I left. I have them at home.””
“Can you bring them to me?””
“Not tonight.””
“Why?””
“Because someone left. I have them at home.””
“Can you bring them to me?””
“Not tonight.””
“Why?””
“Because someone has been watching my house.””
I straightened.
“What?””
“Yesterday, a black SUV parked outside for nearly an hour. When I went to look, it drove away.””
I glanced toward the road.
“Did you recognize the vehicle?””
“No has been watching my house.””
I straightened.
“What?””
“Yesterday, a black SUV parked outside for nearly an hour. When I went to look, it drove away.””
I glanced toward the road.
“Did you recognize the vehicle?””
“No. But I know Vanessa has connections with people who don't take kindly to questions.””
“Listen to me, Helen. Don't confront. But I know Vanessa has connections with people who don't take kindly to questions.””
“Listen to me, Helen. Don't confront anyone. Keep the documents somewhere safe. I'm going to arrange for my attorney to contact you.””
There was a pause.
Then she whispered, “There's one more thing.””
anyone. Keep the documents somewhere safe. I'm going to arrange for my attorney to contact you.””
There was a pause.
Then she whispered, “There's one more thing.””
“What?””
“Ethan's birth certificate lists Vanessa as his mother.””
I felt the air leave my lungs.
“Are you sure?””
“Yes.””
“Who is the father?””
“What?””
“Ethan's birth certificate lists Vanessa as his mother.””
I felt the air leave my lungs.
“Are you sure?””
“Yes.””
“Who is the father?””
Helen hesitated.
“The name is Marcus Miller.””
I searched my memory.
Nothing.
Then she said, “I think he's the man Vanessa was callingHelen hesitated.
“The name is Marcus Miller.””
I searched my memory.
Nothing.
Then she said, “I think he's the man Vanessa was calling before she met you.””
The call ended.
I stood motionless beside the car.
Rachel touched my shoulder.
“Daniel?””
I looked at before she met you.””
The call ended.
I stood motionless beside the car.
Rachel touched my shoulder.
“Daniel?””
I looked at her.
“Vanessa has a son.””
Rachel's eyes widened.
“What?””
“Apparently, he's eight years old. His name is Ethan.””
“ her.
“Vanessa has a son.””
Rachel's eyes widened.
“What?””
“Apparently, he's eight years old. His name is Ethan.””
“Does she have custody?””
“I don't know.””
Rachel glanced toward Lily.
“Maybe there's an explanation.””
“Maybe.””
But I couldn't shakeDoes she have custody?””
“I don't know.””
Rachel glanced toward Lily.
“Maybe there's an explanation.””
“Maybe.””
But I couldn't shake the feeling that the explanation was going to be much worse than I wanted to imagine.
We drove home without turning the feeling that the explanation was going to be much worse than I wanted to imagine.
We drove home without turning on the radio.
Lily fell asleep halfway through the journey.
Her head rested against the window, and her little rabbit lay across her lap.
I kept checking the rearview mirror on the radio.
Lily fell asleep halfway through the journey.
Her head rested against the window, and her little rabbit lay across her lap.
I kept checking the rearview mirror.
Every time I saw her, I remembered the way she had begged Vanessa to stop.
I remembered the apology.
I'm sorry, Daddy.
.
Every time I saw her, I remembered the way she had begged Vanessa to stop.
I remembered the apology.
I'm sorry, Daddy.
By the time we reached home, the wedding flowers were still arranged along the front entrance.
A delivery van had leftBy the time we reached home, the wedding flowers were still arranged along the front entrance.
A delivery van had left several enormous boxes beside the garage.
Everything looked exactly as it had that morning.
But the house no longer felt the same several enormous boxes beside the garage.
Everything looked exactly as it had that morning.
But the house no longer felt the same.
I carried Lily upstairs.
She woke briefly when I placed her in bed.
“Daddy?””
“I'm here.””
“Is Vanessa coming home.
I carried Lily upstairs.
She woke briefly when I placed her in bed.
“Daddy?””
“I'm here.””
“Is Vanessa coming home?””
I pulled the blanket over her.
“No, sweetheart.””
“Ever?””
I paused.
“Not tonight. And you don't have to worry about that right now.””
She nodded?””
I pulled the blanket over her.
“No, sweetheart.””
“Ever?””
I paused.
“Not tonight. And you don't have to worry about that right now.””
She nodded sleepily.
“Can I sleep with the hallway light on?””
“Of course.””
I kissed her forehead.
She reached for my hand.
“Daddy?””
“Yes?””
“I'm glad you sleepily.
“Can I sleep with the hallway light on?””
“Of course.””
I kissed her forehead.
She reached for my hand.
“Daddy?””
“Yes?””
“I'm glad you came into the room.””
I swallowed.
“Me too, baby.””
When she finally fell asleep, I stood beside came into the room.””
I swallowed.
“Me too, baby.””
When she finally fell asleep, I stood beside her bed for another minute.
Then I went downstairs.
Rachel was waiting in the kitchen.
She had made coffee neither of us wanted.
“Have you called your lawyer?”” she asked.
“I'm about to.””
Before I could reach her bed for another minute.
Then I went downstairs.
Rachel was waiting in the kitchen.
She had made coffee neither of us wanted.
“Have you called your lawyer?”” she asked.
“I'm about to.””
Before I could reach for my phone, it rang.
Vanessa.
I stared at the screen.
Rachel shook her head.
“Don't answer.””
I almost for my phone, it rang.
Vanessa.
I stared at the screen.
Rachel shook her head.
“Don't answer.””
I almost ignored it.
Then another call came.
This time, Vanessa's father.
I answered.
“Daniel.””
His voice was unusually calm.
“We ignored it.
Then another call came.
This time, Vanessa's father.
I answered.
“Daniel.””
His voice was unusually calm.
“We need to settle this before it gets any worse.””
“What do you want?””
“Vanessa is devastated. She's willing to apologize to Lily need to settle this before it gets any worse.””
“What do you want?””
“Vanessa is devastated. She's willing to apologize to Lily.””
“An apology doesn't fix what happened.””
“She's prepared to make things right.””
I leaned against the kitchen counter.
“Then she can explain.””
“An apology doesn't fix what happened.””
“She's prepared to make things right.””
I leaned against the kitchen counter.
“Then she can explain the documents.””
Silence.
“What documents?”” he asked.
“The guardianship paperwork. The signature that isn't mine. The documents the documents.””
Silence.
“What documents?”” he asked.
“The guardianship paperwork. The signature that isn't mine. The documents relating to my daughter's residence.””
His voice changed.
“Who told you about those?””
I looked at Rachel.
There it was.
He knew.
“Why relating to my daughter's residence.””
His voice changed.
“Who told you about those?””
I looked at Rachel.
There it was.
He knew.
“Why don't you tell me?””
He sighed.
“Daniel, you don't understand the arrangement.””
“What arrangement?””
“Vanessa was trying to secure a stable future for everyone don't you tell me?””
He sighed.
“Daniel, you don't understand the arrangement.””
“What arrangement?””
“Vanessa was trying to secure a stable future for everyone.””
“By forging my signature?””
“Don't use words you can't prove.””
I ended the call.
Rachel stared at me.
“He.””
“By forging my signature?””
“Don't use words you can't prove.””
I ended the call.
Rachel stared at me.
“He knew.””
“Yes.””
I called my attorney, Andrew Miller.
He answered on the fourth ring.
“Daniel? knew.””
“Yes.””
I called my attorney, Andrew Miller.
He answered on the fourth ring.
“Daniel? I heard about the wedding.””
“Then you probably know I need help.””
“Tell me.””
I explained everything.
The haircut.
I heard about the wedding.””
“Then you probably know I need help.””
“Tell me.””
I explained everything.
The haircut.
The recording.
The documents.
Helen's call.
When I mentioned the eight-year-old boy, Andrew became very quiet.
“Daniel, don't contact Vanessa againThe recording.
The documents.
Helen's call.
When I mentioned the eight-year-old boy, Andrew became very quiet.
“Daniel, don't contact Vanessa again until we've reviewed the paperwork.””
“Why?””
“Because if there are documents relating to guardianship or custody, we need to understand exactly what was filed until we've reviewed the paperwork.””
“Why?””
“Because if there are documents relating to guardianship or custody, we need to understand exactly what was filed and whether anything was submitted without your knowledge.””
“Can you investigate?””
“Tomorrow morning. Send me everything you have tonight.””
I forwarded and whether anything was submitted without your knowledge.””
“Can you investigate?””
“Tomorrow morning. Send me everything you have tonight.””
I forwarded the photographs and videos.
Then Andrew asked a question I hadn't considered.
“Did Vanessa ever have access to Lily's school records?””
I closed my eyes.
“Yes.””
“Medical records?””
“Yes.””
“Your the photographs and videos.
Then Andrew asked a question I hadn't considered.
“Did Vanessa ever have access to Lily's school records?””
I closed my eyes.
“Yes.””
“Medical records?””
“Yes.””
“Your financial documents?””
I hesitated.
“She occasionally helped organize paperwork.””
Andrew exhaled.
“Daniel financial documents?””
I hesitated.
“She occasionally helped organize paperwork.””
Andrew exhaled.
“Daniel, secure your accounts and change the access codes to your home and office. Don't delete, secure your accounts and change the access codes to your home and office. Don't delete anything. Preserve all messages.””
I looked toward the staircase.
“Is my daughter in danger?””
“I don't know. But until we establish what Vanessa has done anything. Preserve all messages.””
I looked toward the staircase.
“Is my daughter in danger?””
“I don't know. But until we establish what Vanessa has done, you need to take this seriously.””
After the call, Rachel sat opposite me.
Neither of us spoke for a while.
Then my phone vibrated.
A new email.
The, you need to take this seriously.””
After the call, Rachel sat opposite me.
Neither of us spoke for a while.
Then my phone vibrated.
A new email.
The sender was Vanessa.
The subject line read:
*You Need to Hear My Side.*
I opened it.
There were only four sentences.
*Daniel, sender was Vanessa.
The subject line read:
*You Need to Hear My Side.*
I opened it.
There were only four sentences.
Daniel, you have no idea what you're walking into.
I didn't choose to become Ethan's mother under the circumstances you think.
Marcus you have no idea what you're walking into.
I didn't choose to become Ethan's mother under the circumstances you think.
Marcus has been threatening me for years.
And if you continue investigating, Lily may become part of something neither of us can control has been threatening me for years.
And if you continue investigating, Lily may become part of something neither of us can control.
I read the email twice.
Then I looked at Rachel.
“She's threatening my daughter.””
Rachel shook her head.
“No. I think she's telling you she's afraid of someone.””
I looked at the screen again.
Marcus Miller.*
I read the email twice.
Then I looked at Rachel.
“She's threatening my daughter.””
Rachel shook her head.
“No. I think she's telling you she's afraid of someone.””
I looked at the screen again.
Marcus Miller.
The name Helen had given me.
And for the first time, I wondered whether Vanessa had been running from her past long before she entered.
The name Helen had given me.
And for the first time, I wondered whether Vanessa had been running from her past long before she entered my life.
My phone vibrated again.
An incoming photograph.
It was from an unknown number.
The picture showed Vanessa standing outside a courthouse my life.
My phone vibrated again.
An incoming photograph.
It was from an unknown number.
The picture showed Vanessa standing outside a courthouse.
Beside her was a tall man in a dark coat.
Between them stood a little boy.
On the back of the photograph, someone had written:
**THE BOY VANESS.
Beside her was a tall man in a dark coat.
Between them stood a little boy.
On the back of the photograph, someone had written:
*THE BOY VANESSA NEVER TOLD YOU ABOUT.*
Then another message arrived.
Ask her why Ethan disappearedA NEVER TOLD YOU ABOUT.*
Then another message arrived.
May you like
Ask her why Ethan disappeared.
.*
